20 LA Rams offseason player injury updates for 2020 season

LA Rams players suffered numerous injuries in 2019. While some return and others may be departing via free agency, here is an injury update to the players and their status

The 2019 LA Rams faced and played through a lot of adversity.  Where the team’s roster was not young, there was injury.  In some cases, the starters were both young and quickly injured.  So where does that place the team heading into the 2020 NFL season?  Well, with questions, of course. So let’s take a look at some injury updates.

The Rams roster suffered as many as 20 players injured in the course of the season.  No, not the bumps, bruises, strains, and aches each NFL player suffers in a normal 16 game season.  These were injuries which forced players off playing time and onto the bench or injured reserve.  The challenge is guessing which players and their injuries will carry over into training camp, or even worse, into preseason.

The cascade effect of so many injuries made it nearly impossible for fans and sports reporters to determine the depth of the roster. Many of the early season injuries were players competing for starting roles. Even those who were projected as backup players, they were on track for significant playing time.

The injury list is long, and the details for some players is sketchy.  But here is a quick update to LA Rams players on an injury list.  Keep in mind that player injury update status can change, so we’ll revisit the list periodically.

Offensive line injuries

Player                            Position           Injury                   Status
Brian Allen                   Center              Knee – MCL        May not return for training camp
Rob Havenstein          Right Tackle   Knee                     Ready for training camp
Andrew Whitworth   Left Tackle      Ankle                    Post surgery, ready for tng camp
Joseph Noteboom      Left Guard       ACL/MCL            May not return for training camp
Austin Blythe              Center              Ankle/Should.    May not return for training camp

The 2019  offensive line felt as though it was made of glass at times.  The plan to begin the season had the following lineup: Left tackle Andrew Whitworth, Left Guard Joseph Noteboom, Center Brian Allen, Right Guard Austin Blythe, and Right Tackle Rob Havenstein.  Despite early struggles, the Rams jumped out to a 3-0 season, and seemed to be cruising for a second appearance in post season.

But the shootout upset loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began a streak of bad play and bad luck.  In a week six loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams lost left guard Noteboom to an ACL/MCL injury. By week ten, they had lost center Brian Allen to an MCL injury.

On a positive note, the LA Rams were forced to sign and promote offensive linemen. The team ultimately traded for guard Austin Corbett, who slotted in left guard. The team promoted rookie Bobby Evans for right guard, and promoted rookie David Edwards to right tackle.  Austin Blythe healed up enough to take up the center position, and the Rams reinforced the position with center Coleman Shelton.

That experience for Corbett, Evans, and Edwards will carry a long way in the 2020 training camp. Don’t be surprised if all three earn starting line roles for the Rams this season.

Other offensive player injuries

Player                         Position                Injury                   Status
Jojo Natson               Wide Receiver     Shoulder            May not return for training camp
Todd Gurley              Running Back      Knee                    Load management this season?
Darrell Henderson  Running Back      Ankle                  May not return for training camp
Brandin Cooks          Wide Receiver     Concussion        Ready for training camp

The LA Rams offensive skill players were relatively unscathed in 2019.  But where most offensive skill players did not have one incident which forced them to injured reserve, several players lingering health/injury related issues reared their ugly heads once more last season. The biggest question mark on this group is durability.

WR Jojo Natson is 5-foot-7 and weighs 153 pounds. At that size, he holds the team’s designated return specialist. He averaged 22.2 yards per kickoff return, and 7.8 yards per punt return.  He pulled a hamstring and shoulder, and ended up on injured reserve.

RB Darrell Henderson was a third round selection for the Rams in the 2019 NFL Draft. Using a day two pick on a running back, particularly a Rams team without a day one selection, is clear evidence that the Rams had big plans for him in 2019.  That didn’t occur, as Henderson saw just 39 touches the entire season.

Perhaps the greatest questions surround WR Brandin Cooks and RB Todd Gurley.  While both have had tremendous production, both have serious questions over their durabilty and future.  It didn’t help either player to suffer significant downturns in production in 2019. Both players have huge NFL contracts with an abundance of guaranteed money this season.  The question for both Gurley and Cooks goes beyond are they healthy. Rather, it is can they stay healthy?

Defensive front seven player injuries

Player                        Position                  Injury               Status

Cory Littleton         Inside linebacker    Chest               May not return for training camp
Micah Kiser             Linebacker               Pectoral          May not return for training camp
Justin Lawler          Defensive End        Foot                  May not return for training camp
Bryce Hager            Inside linebacker   Shoulder          May not return for training camp
Josh Carraway        Linebacker              Achilles            May not return for training camp
Michael Brockers  Defensive End       Ankle                 May not return for training camp

The defensive front seven injuries were a series of nagging tweaks and minor injuries.  The larger story here is the fact that ILB Cory Littleton, ILB Bryce Hager, and DE Michael Brockers are all unrestricted free agents in 2020.

LB Littleton suffered a chest bruise, officially diagnosed as a pulmonary contusion, which heals naturally with rest.  DE Brockers suffered a late season ankle injury.  However, the good news is that he will not need surgery, as it was merely a high-ankle sprain.  Ankle sprains are tough to heal during the regular season. But with rest and structured exercise, he will be better than ever.

LB Hager suffered a pinched nerve in his neck which forced him in and out of the lineup. The Rams ultimately placed him on injured reserve to allow his shoulder/neck to heal. LB Kiser suffered left pectoral damage which required surgery and effectively thwarted plans to start next to Littleton.  He should be back and on track in 2020 and should be ready to compete for a starting ILB role.

Defensive end Justin Lawler has the right size and agility to fill in at either defensive end or outside linebacker. While he suffered a foot injury in 2019 which required surgery, he has healed for nearly a year.  With so many defensive standouts leaving via free agency, Lawler will play a significant role for the team as he competes for playing time.

Defensive backs player injuries

Player                        Position                Injury                   Status

John Johnson           Strong Safety     Shoulder              May not return for training camp
Eric Weddle             Free Safety         Meniscus             May not return for training camp
Jalen Ramsey          Cornerback         Knee                      May not return for training camp
Troy Hill                    Cornerback         Thumb                   Ready for training camp
Taylor Rapp              Strong Safety    Ankle                      Ready for training camp

The Rams defensive backfield players all seemed to have some injuries in 2019.  While that is true, the defensive backfield is expected to return stronger than  ever in 2020.  S Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in 2019 which required surgery. Surgery was a success, so now it is simply a matter or healing and rehabbing in time for training camp. His partner, rookie Taylor Rapp, ended the season on a healthy note, and is looking forward to pairing up Johnson for the 2020 season.

Of course, veteran safety Eric Weddle may have a say in that. He underwent successful surgery to clean up his meniscus, and should be ready for whatever role the Rams give him in 2020.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a knee injury in the late season loss to the San Francisco 49ers.  Since the season was over at that point, the team shut down Ramsey for the final game to give his knee a jumpstart to healing up for 2020.  His knee requires no surgery, and he should be ready to go this season.

Cornerback Troy Hill injured his thumb against the Dallas Cowboys, and had immediate surgery to correct the damage.  Even after the surgery, Hill planned to return to the starting lineup.  Now that he’s had time to heal, he will be back better than ever.